Back Porch Summer Supper: Speedy recipes to keep the outdoor dining season going

Posted: Wednesday, July 08, 2009

By KITCHEN ADE

Fourth of July came and went much too fast.

All that eating out-of-doors was great, and most of us are eager for it to continue.

With a little pre-planning, super quick suppers that come right off the grill, or straight from the refrigerator, can prolong outside dining rituals for months, even for those of who are away at work all day.

Flavorful ribs can be prepared in no time at all, if they are cooked and marinated prior to grilling.

Moreover, if those ribs are served with a make-ahead salad and dessert, meals usually reserved for weekends and holidays, can be enjoyed on any night of the week.

Potato salad especially tastes good with ribs, the sauces from the ribs and salad mingling on dinner plates into one brilliant summer taste sensation.

And, if the breezy flavor of a sultry tropical island is what warm weather dining is to you, a forkful, or two, of "Luscious Tropical Pie" will make whatever place you are dining in seem more like Hawaii than your own backyard or porch.

I hated to see our Independence Day celebrations come to an end, but at least the food portion of the event can continue for weeks and weeks to come.

More seasonal menus and ideas are coming. Look for cool recipes for things like summer pudding and ice box cakes and, of course, for some grilled favorites, too, like zucchini and peaches. In the meantime, enjoy your ribs, the potato salad, and the on the on-the-house trip to Hawaii.